Can The Last of Us occur in real life? Is it possible for humans to be overrun by an apocalypse caused by a fungus that overrides the body, and maneuvers it as a puppet? There are many different opinions and perspectives on this matter, some say yes, while others say no. In the fictional world the apocalypse has Cordyceps fungus move into the human body and control their bodies against a person’s will, and create them to become zombies ‘infected’ by the fungus. 

The opinions that believe that it’s possible for this apocalypse to occur support their claims by saying that the Cordyceps fungus in the show is capable of overriding a host and taking control of the host it attaches to. Normally Cordyceps fungus attaches itself to ants or even spiders. It hijacks its host through spores and penetrates the exoskeleton and takes over the organism. The fungus uses the ants to move them to a more humid microclimate that way the fungus will be able to thrive and grow. Once the ant brings itself to this place it positions itself in a way that best suits the fungus and slowly dies in the process, as the fungus eats the insides of the ant. 

The Last of Us utilizes this infection to occur within humans. The infection spreads through spores in the game, and tendrils in the show. Now people believe that this infection can occur in humans in real life because of how easily the fungus can infect ants and other insects. Another reason why people believe in this is because of climate change. The rising temperatures will push the fungi to have to evolve and adapt to the different temperatures, and it provides a plausible chance that their optimal growth temperatures match our own, causing fungal infections. Another concerning point is the fact that finding a cure will become increasingly difficult, since fungi also have eukaryotic cells, and share cell structures similar to humans. Causing it to be difficult to find a cure that only targets the fungus and not humans themselves. 

Although many scientists are going on to reject these theories and claims, saying that the Cordyceps are species-specific fungi. It’s also brought up as to how this fungus is utilized in certain societies such as Asia which use this fungus in traditional medicines. 

Even though sides are split as to whether or not this apocalypse can occur in real life, people have come to the agreement that it is possible if global warming continues to worsen because it’ll cause the evolution of this fungus posing a possible threat to humans.